The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Bien On Growing Up In Kenya, Breaking East African Stereotypes, Marrying His Manager, New Album + More

Episode Date: May 26, 2025

Today on The Breakfast Club, Bien On Growing Up In Kenya, Breaking East African Stereotypes, Marrying His Manager, New Album. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to an iHeart Podcast. I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast Betrayal. Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone. Most of all, his wife, Caroline. He texted, I've ruined our lives. You're going to want to divorce me. How far would he go to cover up what he'd done? The fact that you lied is absolutely

horrific and quite frankly I question how many other women are out there that may bring forward allegations in the future. Listen to Betrayal on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here. Diddy's former protege, television personality, Danity Kang alum Aubrey O'Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there. Listen to Amy and TJ Presents, Aubrey O'Day,

covering the Diddy Trial on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And it's gonna take us to heal us. It's Mental Health Awareness Month, and on a recent episode of Just Healed with Dr. J, the incomparable Taraji P. Henson stopped by to discuss how she's discovered peace on her journey. I never let that little girl inside of me die.

To hear this and more things on the journey of healing, you can listen to Just Heal with Dr. J from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. AT&T, connecting changes everything. I want you to ask yourself right now, how am I actually doing?

Because it's a question that we rarely ask ourselves. All of May is actually Mental Health Awareness Month. And on the psychology of your 20s, we are taking a vulnerable look at why mental health is so hard to talk about. Prepare for our conversations to go deep. I spent the majority of my teenage years and my twenties just feeling absolutely terrified. So this Mental Health Awareness Month, open the free iHeartRadio app, search the psychology of your twenties and listen now.

Wake that ass up! Early in the morning! The Breakfast Club Morning everybody, it's DJ NV Just Hilarious, Charlamagne the Guy, we are The Breakfast Club. We got a special's DJ Envy Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne the guy, we are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. Yes indeed. Bien, welcome.

Hello. Thank you so much for having me guys. How you doing bro? Thank you, I'm doing great. I'm having an amazing time in New York. Just sold out the SOBs the other night. And so now I'm in the best Breakfast Club. So this is a big deal for me guys.

You just launched a tour, right? Yes, I'm in the best breakfast club. So this is a big deal for me guys. You just launched a tour right? Yes, I'm on tour currently. I'm doing 10 states and I just played New York two nights ago. Playing Atlanta Tomorrow and we sold out everywhere. Oh that's dope, congratulations. Super blessed, thank you, thank you. And the album is called, let me see if I'm pronouncing

this right, Alusa? Alusa, yes, Alusa is my name as known in my village. So Alusa why are you topless? So you don't have no shirt on most of the time? Yeah, usually. You be out there showing titties? Usually, but I had to buy. Yes, I'm showing titties.

I'm showing some stomach, you know, some back. Yeah, but being topless is freedom. Being topless is audacity. And in this phase of my career and where I'm at right now, I need that audacity to be with me every day. Is that really audacity to be topless is audacity. And in this phase of my career and where I'm at right now, I need that audacity to be with me every day. Is that really audacity to be topless? If you walk around with no pants on, dick swinging. That's audacity.

This is the shirt of everybody's in that. You know when you get home, like if you're a girl, when you get home, the first thing you do is you can hook your bra. And that's part of the freedom I'm talking about. Being topless is not really a care. What do you identify as? Ben, nigga. A black man. I'm just about. Being topless is not what you can. What do you identify as? Being a nigger.

A black man. That's what I'm saying. You said as a girl. Now Italy are dead. No, just give it an analogy. Yeah. That maybe gents can connect with. Yes, exactly.

It's an analogy, yeah. Oh my God. But no, but that's a different though, because I get it, when women get home and they take that bra off, they're free. They go bright, that is it. But what about you, like when you get home, and maybe if you're in Miami.

No, if you're in Miami. Oh wait, what about me? No, if you're in Miami and if you're in a sunny place and a humid place and you take off your shirt, that's freedom, man. Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And basketball shorts, no drawers. You're not talking about that. Not so much.

Come on now. You're really pushing this no drawers agenda. You're pushing this no drawers agenda. Yes. It's not an agenda. The name of Charlamagne. I was going to be Charlamagne Wilde, you gay. What?

Why? Yes. Shut up my neighbors, Uganda, for that. The name is Charlamagne. I was going to be Charlamagne while you gay. What? What? Yes. Shut up, my neighbors. Uganda for that. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, right. Those are my next door neighbors. Now, you did rap. I was going to say, you did rap radar the other day. Yes, I did. And you came with something different that I don't think any rap radar guest has ever done. Rap radar's done the interviews?

No, like, I perform. On the radar. I said rap radar. How about to say, oh, on the radar since it gave? I was like, what? Again, yes. You've seen the interviews? No, like. On the radio. That's a wrap. How about they say, oh, on the radio. That's a game. I was like, what? Game, yes.

You came with a chicken? Yeah, I came with a chicken. I would have come with a chicken here, but there's too many rules, and you guys are really on the top floor, so I wasn't able to smuggle my mascot into the building. I know, that's right. Yeah.

But you know why a chicken? A chicken is my cultural totem. Like, the animal that represents my culture is a rooster. And it's because a rooster is a timekeeper. A rooster is a caregiver. A rooster is a security for your home. A rooster is many things, including a good meal. So that's why I walk around with a rooster.

Where did you get this chicken from? Where did you get the chicken from? I know you didn't. I didn't know the animal laws in New York. I had to drive all the way to Pennsylvania. Like an hour and a half. To get a chicken? Yeah, to get a chicken.

You could have went to Queens. They wouldn't sell it to me in Queens. Nobody would give me a live chicken in New York because it's against the law. So I had to go all the way to Pennsylvania, cross state lines to look for the chicken, but yeah. I think it's about the wording, because you know in America, I don't know.

Y'all know if y'all say this in Kenya, in America they say cock. So you have to say, I want to bring my cock. To the interview. To the interview. Yeah, when I say it was just me and my cock. Yeah, me and my cock. I was stroking my cock like the whole time.

Yeah. And if you say you eating your cock, you really might get invited to some parties. Yeah, I gave the chicken, I gave my cock to my driver, and he took it to an animal home, animal shelter. So he's alive. So your cock's alive, okay. Yeah, my cock's alive.

Ben, I don't know why you wanted to come here. In the morning, I needed to be here. I needed to be here today, thank you. I'm trying to be professional, but you guys are crazy. So this is a freedom album, basically, because it's a Lusa Waii type. So previously, in my other life, I was in a band., but you guys are crazy. Let's go. So this is a freedom album, basically, because it's a loser, why are you top? So previously, in my other life, I was in a band. I was in a boy band.

And the band was called Sauti Soul. Called what? Sauti Soul. Sauti Soul. And it means, in Swahili, voices of the sun. Okay. Yeah, so I was in a boy band, and this is my second lease of life.

So now I'm a solo artist. I've been a solo artist for two years now. And everything's looking up. I'm at the Breakfast Club, mama, I made a solo artist. I've been a solo artist for two years now. And everything's looking up. I'm at the breakfast club, mama. I made it. Hey. Nice. Why does Saudi Soul take such a long hiatus for music,

y'all last thing ever in 2005? We were together 20 years. Yeah, we're like new additions from Kenya. Yeah, all voice to men. We met in high school. Yeah. So we've been together 20 years. 20 beautiful years, the best years of my life.

What made you just want to go solo now? Just trying something new, you know, after doing something for a long time. I think it was time for us to try and see what the other side looks like. And it's been beautiful so far. I think we needed this break so that our next season will be just as glorious, even better. And what are the other Saudi solos doing? They're making music, they're doing interesting things. My brother, Polycap, just launched his guitar, Jowaya,

which is an amazing guitar. Chimano is on tour, Savara is putting out music as well. So we're all busy and we're all working together. We're all writing for one another, we're all producing for one another. They're still friends. Oh, great friends, great friends. Amazing.

Why do you think East African music hasn't seen a surge in, I guess, mainstream in the way artists from the Western South have. Well there's many aspects to it, including the fact that it's just never been funded. Any music that you hear in the West is marketing dollars spent to get that music there. So for a long time East Africa hasn't had that limelight.

Also our numbers in the diaspora don't come anywhere close to Nigeria. So the dominant culture in the diaspora is gonna be Nigeria. But the next logical sound to listen to after you've gone north, east, west, no, the north, west, and south is east. And so here we are, you know, we're taking the stairs,

but we're getting here anyway. You know, why is it, I noticed with international artists, they always want to win in the US. Why is that so important? Because when you win in the US. Why is that so important? Because when you win in the US, the reward is too high. Being the biggest artist in Kenya, is nowhere close being the biggest artist in the US. When you win in the US, you win in the world.

So for a long time, this market has dominated the world like that. Also, you guys have the structures, you have the venues, the ticket masters and all these, you know, all of these infrastructure that makes music what it is in the world, yeah. So you're thought leaders, you're global leaders, the ticket masters and all this, you know, all of these infrastructure that makes music what it is in the world, yeah. So you're thought leaders, you're global leaders, why not? Yeah.

You remember when your love for music first hit you? Yes. I was like maybe five or six. I was watching Bob Marley's song, Ion, lion, Zion, da-da-da-da-da. And that's the first time I was like, wow, what is this? Like, I feel like doing this thing. And that's the first time I was like, whoa, what is this? I feel like doing this thing.

And I've been doing it since. I'm 37 now, guys. I've been singing 31 years, yeah. Wow, so six years old. Since I was six, yeah. And I joined the choir and church, and I always say the church is the best artist development program in the world.

Because that's where all the great musicians, especially for black music, come from. How was it in Kenya? Because you know, you hear stories, people from Nigeria, their parents like, no, you're not gonna go into music, you're not gonna go into entertainment, you're gonna be a doctor, you know, like in Kenya, when you said you wanted to do music, how was it?

My mom said, as long as you finish school, as long as you finish college, you can do whatever you want. And music has been a kind master to me, music paid me through college. Like I put on my first single with South East Soul, my band, when I was a freshman. And just like that, my life changed. I had to finish school, but I started to be a journalist.

So I'll probably be working here. I did communications. And did you know that moment where you knew you were gonna make it like, oh, this is what I was here to do? I told also my cousin when I was six that I'm going to be a superstar. And she laughed it off, but I remind her to this day

that this is written. Like, I always knew that this is what I'm going to do. Yeah, even though sometimes life pushed me in directions where I wasn't in my direct journey. Like, for example, like when I studied communications, it wasn't me studying music, but it came back now to make sense. My auditory skills are different.

I understand how to interview, how to, there's just things I learned in uni that are very vital for me right now. And back then you was just like, I think I'm training to be on the other side of the microphone, but then you end up being an artist and you got it. I was actually just finishing school

to clock out something in life, to say that I have a degree. But I wasn't very passionate about it. I was actually just finishing school to clock out something in life. Say that I have a degree, but I wasn't very passionate about it. What'd you major in? Communications, journalism. Okay, you just said that. Yeah, you just said that. You communicated that day to stamp.

I communicated, not as effective. I just wanted to be clear. Yeah, that's all right. You want to be clear. Have you ever had any big dreams of working with any American artists? Yes, tons of them. You got it.

I'm a big fan of, of course, Beyoncé. I think her excellence is everything. I love Coco Jones. I think she's beautiful as a singer. 2 Chainz. I like 2 Chainz. I like the new album he has with Larry. Larry June, and Elkman.

Yeah, I'm sure you and 2 you too, I'm sure you've already done something together. We're about to. Yeah, we're about to. And many other artists, like honestly, anybody who's willing to work, I'm willing to work with as well. I realize music is better when you make it with friends.

What was life like growing up for you in Kenya? And how did your Kenyan culture influence the way you see the world today? Yeah. Growing up in Kenya is beautiful because we are situated in a part of Africa that is very cosmopolitan. So we get American influence.

We also get Arabian influence. We get all these influences. And I think that's what has shaped me into the musician I am today. Like I am the most Kenyan man you're ever gonna meet in your life. My isms, my accent, my music, my sound is deliberately from that. Yeah.

Did anybody ever try to conform? Like, you have to conform to go mainstream. Yeah, every time I try conforming, I fail miserably, so I don't try anymore. Yeah. Yeah. And also, like, I've been in the game for so long right now, and I don't have the pressure to please anybody. So I'm just doing me, and so long right now, and I don't have the pressure to please anybody.

I'm just doing me, and so far it's working out. Don't you think it's disrespectful to African culture to try to conform, to be mainstream anywhere else? Yes, but sometimes you know you have to play the game if you want to win. Otherwise, to a certain degree. I think, and it's not bad to conform. We know we really talk about conforming

like it's a bad thing. Conforming just means there's a way people do things in a certain way that has been proved to work. So if you want those results, you can try. Or you can take the long route. You can take whatever route you want. You just not changing your sound. Yeah, a little bit of conforming without losing yourself

in the process and selling out isn't bad. Still breaking that move. I think in America, people don't really know what they want until they get it. You know what I'm saying? Like nobody ever knows what the next big thing really is. Oh, they follow everybody else. That's what I'm saying.

So it's just like, you know, when y'all just do y'all, it's like, oh, we fuck with that. Like I love Afrobeat. You know what I mean? I love all of it. I know you love Afrobeat, Charlamagne. You've been pushing us for a minute. All of you, by the way, have really been.

Yeah. Like all the different sounds. I'm piano. What's it called? I'm a piano, yes. I'm a piano. Like I like, I just like it. It's just a dope sound. And then when you've visited the continent,'m piano, what's it called? I'm a piano, yes. I'm a piano, I just like it. It's just a dope sound and then when you've visited the continent, you really, really feel it.

So it's just like, I'd rather y'all do y'all instead of trying to be what we got going on over here. I agree, I agree. And I also think where the world is at right now, people are really having proximity to their content. Like people are consuming their content with proximity. So I haven't seen an American artist blow in Kenya, like in my village, the same way 50 Cent did eons ago,

to mean that the people there have now chosen other sounds to be their thought leaders. So I think it's important for you guys to, you know, come to the continent and fuck with other sounds and listen to what the continent has to offer. We are so eclectic. There's tons of sounds in Africa, some that are untapped, some that are new,

but you're gonna come out there with gems. So 50 came out 2002, so you're telling me in 23 years nobody else is connected in Kenya? So many people have connected. I'm just talking about that golden era when you were big in America, you were big in the village. Like it went all the way. So kids were-

Now there's artists who are big in America and they are selling out, but their songs don't have the same crossover in other parts of the world. Well kids were mimicking 50 back then. Bro, you're going to barbershops and you're seeing Ludacris on the charts. The barbershop chart. Yeah, the barbershop charts. And that's, I think, a golden era in hip hop that we're not to say never gonna see again,

but we will see maybe in another lifetime. What was it about 50, you think? I think he just connected, he was authentic. Yeah, and he's always been his authentic self. Whether you love him or you hate him, 50 is just that. He's 50, yeah. I think it was the music back then, too. And the music, yeah.

Because even I DJed in Kenya several times, it was just it was just a feeling of that effect like I don't see any artists that have that effect where you wanted to dress like him where you wanted to be him where band and I mean 50 made people want to be him I don't see that now mm-hmm yeah and and but also I see that now all right name artists that people dress like and wanted to be like that. Since 50? I think the kids just, a lot of the kids are like that.

Kanye? But that was around the same time. That was around the same time when they come out. I'm talking about now. I mean, now it's a bunch of little Wayne, Playboy, Cardi, little Uzi. Playboy, Cardi, like all the kids now dress up like. Not like 50 and Kanye.

All the girls dress like Tyler. You really sound old. Not like 50 and Kanye? Yeah, yeah, yeah.zi. Not like 50 and Kanye. All the girls just like Tyler. You really sound old now. Not like 50 and Kanye? Nah, not like 50 and Kanye. I'm just thinking the music was so impactful. I don't know, the zeitgeist of the time, the rhythm of the time just favored that whole wave. I think, which you say, it wasn't really a lot of other people

that people wanted to be like in that time, because 50 had a whole era. It was like the 50 cent era. People was wearing, you know, the jeans, the funny with the nipples out whole era. It was like the 50 cent era, people was wearing, you know the G-Unit, with the nipples out the side. It was a bunch of things. You had one? Yeah, it was.

I had all the bootleg G-Unit, because you know, how you gonna get original G-Unit in Kenya, so not the tank top. You had that tank top. All of these kids started mimicking Lil Wayne, after Lil Wayne came out. But that's what it is. That was before 50.

No it wasn't, it was after 50. What are you talking about? With the Carter twos and threes, what are you talking about? That was all around the same time. No it wasn't, 50, Give Richard that tryin' was 02. When Lil Wayne was selling a million in a week for the Carter, what was it, Carter, either two and three or three and four,

that was like 06, 05, 06. And then everybody started dressing like Lil Wayne after that. But the locksstats. Oh. But to my point is, that was that era. I mean, we're talking, this is 2020, this is 2025. 2025. So who had that effect where WayMade people wear dress?

Pops, Lil Uzi, Playboy Cardi. I don't see it like Way instead. But I don't see that impact going as far as the continent. You're also 37. I'm 46. He's 47. You go talk to them 20 year olds, 19, 20 years old, they got these guys that they dressing like, bro.

I also see that you are married to Chiki Zaruka. Am I saying it right? Kuruuka. Yes, yes. She's also my manager. She is your manager, you married your manager. How is that dynamic? It's beautiful.

It's been by far the most rewarding experience of my life. Yeah, I didn't think I'd have I'd have it this easy in my solo career if I didn't have someone who centers me like her. Yeah. Yeah. Did you meet her? Well, she was she was your manager. You married her or no, you were together. We've been together 11 years and she managed me for only the last two years.

So during that entire time, it was just husband and wife. And then when I went solo, I was just like, yo, I think you need to manage me. And she was like, okay, we're doing it for the home. And it's beautiful. Like it's by far the most rewarding experience of my life. Do you pay her? In other ways.

Damn. Damn, you got it. I pay her like that, no, I mean. I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast Betrayal. Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone, most of all his wife Caroline. He texted, I've ruined our lives. You're going to want to divorce me. Caroline's husband was living another life behind the scenes.

He betrayed his oath to his family and to his community. She said you left bruises, pulled her hair, that type of thing. No. How far would Joel go to cover up what he'd done? You're unable to keep track of all your lies, and quite frankly, I question how many other women may bring forward allegations in the future.

This season of Betrayal investigates one officer's decades of deception. Lies that left those closest to him questioning everything they thought they knew. Listen to Betrayal on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yo, Kebob fans, it's your boy, Bumhunt, and I'm bringing you something epic.

Introducing the K-Factor, the podcast that takes you straight into the heart of K-Pop. We're talking music reviews, exclusive interviews, and deep dives into the industry like never before. From producers and choreographers to idols and trainees, we're bringing you the real stories behind the music that you love. And yeah, we're keeping it 100, discussing everything from comebacks and concepts to the mental health side of the business. Because K-pop isn't just a genre, it's a whole world and we're exploring every corner of it. And here's the best part, fans get to call in, drop opinions, and even join us live at events.

You never know where we might pop up next. So listen to the K Factor on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This isn't just a podcast. It's a movement. Are you ready? Let's go. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here. Diddy's former protege, television personality, platinum-selling artist, Denity King alum Aubrey O'Day joins us

to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Aubrey O'Day is sitting next to us here. You are, as we sit here, right up the street from where the trial is taking place. Some people saw that you were going to be in New York and they immediately started jumping to conclusions. So can you clear that up?

First of all, are you here to testify in the Diddy Trial? Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise based on her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be opposite of the glitz and glamour. It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there. Listen to Amy and TJ Presents, Aubrey O'Day covering the Diddy Trial on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hey y'all, it's your girl, T.S. Madison, coming to you live and in color from the Outlaws podcast. On this week's episode, we're talking to none other than Chaperone and Sasha Colby. And let me tell you, no topping is off limits, honey. We talk about the lovers, the haters, and the creator. I worked at Scooter's Coffee drive-thru kiosk. And you are from the Midwest. Mm-hmm.

And in the Midwest, they told you, would you just be humble? Like, you've heard this countless times. You too, right? Oh, yeah. It's very, like, big in Hawaii. Mine was, I think, wrapped up in, like, Christian guilt. Oh, yeah.

We definitely had, like, some Jehovah's Witness guilt there, yeah. Wait, were you Jehovah's Witness? Yeah. So you were Jehovah's Witness. I grew up that, yeah. Yeah. Wait, were you Jehovah's Witness? Yeah. So you were Jehovah's Witness? I grew up that, yeah. My family still is.

Hey. Oh, no. Bye. Listen, she may have been working the drive-through in 2020, but she's the name on everybody's lips now, honey. Listen to Outlaws with T.S. Madison on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, honey.

Great. You know, I don't know how you guys are on your households and I think America is a very different country from, but in my household, the money comes to the pot. The money belongs to the family. And she has access to all of my money and I have access to all of hers. So like we work to build a future for us and our children. So I think- I love the way Africans say money.

All of them. Money. Money. Yeah. What about you guys? I just like the way y'all say it. We say money. Yeah. Money. But how do y'all separate the business mode from the bae mode? Yeah. How is it? We don't.

Y'all don't? Yeah. We'd be in bed at midnight and she'd be like, babe, yeah, did you check the mix for the song that was sent? We just don't have the lines. Further down the road, I know that might be a problem, but so far so good. It's beautiful right now. Yeah, it's beautiful.

And we're just really on great energy. We've had really dark times before she started managing me. And I think when she managed me, that saved our marriage. Like that saved our relationship. What are some of the biggest challenges you face just being a, you know, creative, trying to come out of Kenya? I think coming from East Africa,

no one's looking out for a musician from East Africa. You guys are looking out for athletes and long distance runners and all, and safari experiences and all of those things. And my job now is to literally cut a road in the jungle for my kids to come and show you what East African music is about. So it's a challenge, but it also comes with the blessings

because in many, many opportunities, I'm gonna be the East African, the token East African to show up at the Breakfast Club and tell you guys about where I'm coming from. Yeah. Any visuals we got coming? Yeah, sure, man. I have a new album coming out soon I'm coming from. Yeah. Any visuals we got coming? Sure, man. I have a new album coming out soon.

Titled Alusa Continua. Do you shoot music videos? Yeah, I shoot. So we got visuals to look forward to. Yeah, we've got amazing music videos to go. Yeah, I did shoot a couple of music videos before I came to the States. Are you going to shoot any in the States? No, I don't have time. Yeah, my tour is really after after America, I'm going to Europe. So like I have to just. You want to run? No, I don't have time. Okay. Yeah, my tour's really, after America,

I'm going to Europe, so like I have to just. Get one around. Yeah, I'm gonna run, yeah. But I love to shoot in the States, man. You know, you guys have all the culture here, so. Yeah, yeah. I saw something where they were saying you, the Grammys was donating some money to Kenya.

What was that about? That was political. So the Grammys are doing an Africa Grammys. You know, like, same way we have the Latin Grammys. So there's been talk about Africa doing a Grammys, and Kenya had put in a bid to be the host for the Grammys. Big point eight million, it was. Something like that. And the bid, the whole,

I think the news came out at a very bad time, because at that time economically, and even now, we're not doing so well as a country. So a 3.8 million dollar spend on the Grammys feels like an impulse spent to the people. Like a smack in the face. Yeah, it's like, come on man. But the amount of money that the Grammys would bring in

would be quadruple that though, I'm sure. You know, not a lot of people have the insights of the music business to understand the value of the Grammys coming to Kenya like that, you know. So the people were just up in arms because they felt like there's many more ways to spend the $3.5 million. Yeah. Why did you agree with it?

Because I'm an artist and I understand what it's going to do for my constituency, for my people. Like this is future, future, future you know investments for the artists who are coming you know they're going to thank us one day for hosting the Grammys in Kenya. So I think it's not a bad thing maybe the communication behind it should have been better maybe they should have been told about the financial. You should agree in communications. Yes I agree, I agree Jess, I agree, I agree. Maybe just the communication should have been better. Yeah. Yeah they should have said what N.V what Envia said about the profit and what we stand to gain as a

country and this and this and this. And many people would have been like, okay, we see it. I mean, we had the visitation, hotels, restaurants, foods, tourism. I mean, it's just so much that you get out of it. The development programs for the different facets of the music industry that the Grammy comes with as well. That's right. Yeah.

You know, the Grammy is like a good artist development program as well, second to church. So yeah, it would be nice if they came through. Yeah, I'm still hoping they do. Yeah. Does that put a lot of pressure on you, knowing that Kenya is a country that isn't doing that well financially? But you may be doing better than most.

Yes, it puts pressure on me to make art that speaks to those people and tells their story to the world. Like I want people to see the pain and the struggle in my art. I want them to listen to the lyrics and I want them to, I want the lyrics to take them to places in Kenya that they've never been to. And I want the human experience to connect. So right now we're not going through a very easy time. Our government has no position. The position is the youth. And for the last year or so,

there've been so many abductions. There's been so many, there's been freedom of expression, but not freedom after expression. And I just think it's important for us to know that, or the leaders to know that I have more faith in the children who are coming than their leadership in terms of the power they used to oppress. Yeah, I don't have any fear to the current like regime. I have more faith in the kids and I think the kids are going to save us. You feel comfortable living there? I feel comfortable living in Kenya.

Yeah, I would say to a large extent, Kenya is a beautiful country. Yeah, there's many experiences you can get. And we are generally very peaceful people, but the recent times have been very tough economically. Yeah. But we are not a basket case. That's right.

Yeah, we are proper people. Keny That's right. We are proper people. Kenyans are fighters. Africans are fighters. And the people of Africa will keep the lights on. The people of Kenya will keep the lights on. Absolutely. What is one of your favorite songs from the album? Masha Ri.

Masha Ri? Yeah, it's a tribute to you, Jess. I wrote it to you. She's married. Was it in spite? Bambi is too! It's okay, I'm also married. But he's also African, so he can have more than one wife.

No, he can't, no. That too. You can't, you're a man too. I just do not too. You're a man too. Yeah, constitutionally. He can only have more than one baby. That's every African, I thought that was in certain

villages, why are y'all doing that? You know, some things just I found in this world and there are such complex issues that I can't really address right now in the Brass Bass Club, but I'm not doing it. Okay. Yeah. Cause Chiki deserves all of you and all of me. Only me. Her? Yeah. Okay. Yes. So you wouldn't want another wife? I mean, I'm just saying that, let me rephrase that. See, try to get you in trouble, B. No, no, no, no, let me rephrase that. I know you are happily married. I'm just saying, based off African tradition in a lot of countries,

you are allowed to have another wife. Constitutionally in Kenya, you're allowed. Do I want another wife? No, I don't. Not now. No, no, I don't. No. Don't let me get you in trouble.

Just because that's culturally, like y'all can do that, doesn't mean you always want that, right? They're like, yeah. I come from a polygamous family. My dad has 10 kids from six different women. Legend. I am the last of 10. I am the last of 10.

You know what I mean? You've been troubled. I know you by the way. He's married. Was he married to him or just? Informally, one would argue that, yeah. So formally, he's been married to two. OK. My mother is the last of the 10.

And I'm the, yeah, of the six. And they all know about each other? They all know about each other. When he bought a spoon for our house, he bought a spoon for the other house. He bought it, you know, like, if you guys really understand how polygamy works, maybe it's not going

to be a very touchy subject. I think just when you listen from the West and how people speak about it, it's just really given the vibe that it's unfair, but it has everything to do with society and how society was set up back then. It may not work now, I agree, but back then it had everything to do with community and looking out for one another.

You know, in some cases, a guy was polygamous because maybe his first wife couldn't get kids. You see and she'd be like let me bring a helper to see how we can do this. Also the more kids you had the more labor you had because we were farmers, we were herdsmen and so the more children you had the more people you had to create wealth with. So that was the structure then. But see, polygamy is one sided because what if cheeky was like, I want like three or four husbands.

Yeah. What you gonna do? There are some African cultures that have been matriarchs. That's true. Oh, really? Yes. OK. Yeah, so polygamy has also gone both ways.

I think I don't know. It's called polyandry on the other side. So not all polygamy has been men doing that to women. No, it's also been women doing that to men. OK. Is that what you want, John Jess? Huh? Would you?

Would you get over four? No, no, no. Why you got to have to? No, no, no. No, no, no. Would you? No, no, no. I don't.

I don't have time. I have time. Man, you look like Mike Kiser and John Sally. You know these people? I know JB Smooth. A lot of people told me I look like JB Smooth. You don't look like JB Smoothiser and John Sally you know these people I know JB's move a lot of people told me I look like JB But they always say if you go to someplace on the continent you'll see somebody that look like you yes Shall I mean I see you in? I see you every morning in my village

That looks like me. Yes. If he gets some glasses. John Sally got some Kenyan heritage. He's a cutie though. He looks nice. Okay, I know that's right. So, I mean, I see why you would say that.

Let me show you Mike Kyrie. No, show us the African Shalemane. I went to Turkey the other day and I go was that good to book Yes Yeah He do look like Call my casa cutie, though. No, no that look like Ras Baraka But

Damn, I forgot what I was reaction. We're getting to a joint. Yeah, I forgot what I was gonna ask you. You wanna get into a joint and you wanna hear it? Yeah, that's what I was ready, yes. I wanted to get into. What you wanna hear? One of your songs. One of my songs, My Shady? Yeah, you said My Shady. Was that inspired by Stevie Wonder, though?

Just a little bit? Cause you know we got a song, My Shady, you know. Yeah, I know the song. I love Stevie. He said stop singing. You see, he said stop singing. I love Stevie. He says, stop singing. All right, I know. He says, okay.

He says, stop singing. All right, you're right. He says, please stop. I love Stevie, but Masha-Ri is just inspired by the trillions of Africans who use the word Masha-Ri for their lovers. Oh, okay. It's a way of life. Can I ask one more random question?

Yeah. What would Africa look like if all the countries were unified? I ask myself that question all the time. I ask myself what would Africa look like if we weren't colonized? Because you know naturally, we have never really been people who go out to conquer and convert. We've always been, and that's why it was very easy

to colonize us, because we were easy to coerce. And we didn't know the games that the other party was playing. So I think a united Africa is an Africa that's living to its full potential. It's peaceful, there's some leaders right now in the continent who are showing what Africa could do united.

I don't know if you guys have heard about Traore from Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso. Yeah, and he's been able to unite the countries on his region. They've been able to kick out France. Because he's taking care of people. Yeah, and he's taking care of people. And I see that to unite the countries on his region. They've been able to kick out France. Because he's taking care of people. Yeah, and he's taking care of people.

And I see that to be the future of the continent. And when we unite, we will be unstoppable. In all the beautiful ways. I love the continent, man. I'm going there. I welcome you guys to Kenya, but I came bearing gifts. Can I give you gifts? Yes. Okay.

Don't bring out, don't pull out no cocks. He knocks. Uh-uh. Shut up. So in Kenya, Iuh. Shalemane. Relax. So in Kenya, I'm the chairman of the Bald Men Association. Hey, let's go. And I see you, Shalemane. And this is made by Jambouli.

Oh, I love it. I'm wearing this tomorrow. Bald men love better. I love it. You know, it says bald men love better. Oh. I love it. Of course we love better.

Soon as I get my fresh baldie, this means I'm wearing this. I love this. Yes. And Jess, I got you this in pink. You got the same one, you got the same ball. You own a barbershop? I don't. Oh, okay.

It was just a theme for one of my albums, and I worked on this with a friend of mine called Kymati. It's Jumhoody, shout out. That's my brother. You got her, ball woman, love better too. No, bald men. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.

Bald men. Bald men. He. Boatman. Boatman. Damn, that was unnecessary. That was totally fucking uncalled for. Thank you so much. I just want you to do that. And Envy, because I want you to look approachable, I got you this in pink. Okay, thank you. Yes.

Because I know like, I know you're a gangster, Envy. I'm not. Gangster? What the fuck? Y'all be believing that dumb shit he be saying? All right. Give that. Thank you.

And where would me and you go out, Charlamagne? That's dope. Period. What's the website? There's no website. You know what I'm saying? OK. There's no website.

That was part of something I was doing. But yeah, man, bald men do love better. So as a bald man, as the chairman of the Bald Man Association. When did you start going bald? Like, you did it on purpose? In the beginning. And then it caught up with me. The hairline was getting pushed back over. The hairline was receding.

Man, yeah, it just left. And I remember one time I was also washing my face and I had a bigger face to wash. Me too. I know the feeling. I know the feeling. This is over. Yeah, but you know, I took it with stride.

It's become my thing now. And quite frankly, the girls like it, you know, like we're different. Balding is actually a sign of a lot of testosterone. So if you're bald, you're a man's man. Word. If there's anything to go by, but. Whatever.

Be at latency, gentlemen. Good to see you, brother. Tell them about, is there a website for the tour? I just go to? Oh yes, man, you can go on my Instagram, B-N-A-M-S-O-L, B-I-E-N-A-I-M-E-S-O-L. BNMAESOL, you can go there, there's a link for the tickets. I'm playing Ohio next, I'm playing Atlanta next.

I'm sold out in pretty much every place. But you can follow the boy, you can check out the vibes, and through my page, you're gonna discover what East Africa's about. I also wanna welcome all of you guys to Kenya. I'd love to. Thank you. If you guys ever land in Kenya, envy I know you come there often.

So tell them about it. I often, I gotta get back though. Yeah, but tell them about it. Tell them about it. Kenya right by Zanzibar, right? Tanzania, yeah, yeah. Yeah, cause I went there last year, well the year before last I went to Tanzania Zanzibar

and they was like, you gotta go to Kenya, it's right there. Yeah. Nice. So I'm welcoming you guys to Kenya. Thank you. Absolutely. Love to see you guys there. Yes sir. Appreciate you brother. Well it's the Breakfast Club, good morning. Wake that ass Kenya. Thank you. Absolutely. Love to see you guys there. Yes, sir. Appreciate you, brother. Well, it's the Breakfast Club.

Good morning. Wake that ass up. Early in the morning. The Breakfast Club. I'm Andrea Gunning, host of the podcast, Betrayal. Police Lieutenant Joel Kern used his badge to fool everyone. Most of all, all his wife Caroline. He texted, I've ruined our lives.

You're going to want to divorce me. How far would he go to cover up what he'd done? The fact that you lied is absolutely horrific. And quite frankly, I question how many other women are out there that may bring forward allegations in the future. Listen to Betrayal on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes here.

Diddy's former protege, television personality, Danity King alum Aubrey O'Day, joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. It wasn't all bad, but I has captivated the attention of the nation. It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there.

Listen to Amy and TJ Presents, Aubrey O'Day, covering the Diddy Trial on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And it's gonna take us to heal us. It's Mental health awareness month. And on a recent episode of Just Heal with Dr. J, the incomparable Taraji P. Henson stopped by to discuss how she's discovered peace on her journey.

I never let that little girl inside of me die. To hear this and more things on the journey of healing, you can listen to Just Heal with Dr. J from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. AT&T, connecting changes everything. I want you to ask yourself right now,

how am I actually doing? Because it's a question that we rarely ask ourselves. All of May is actually Mental Health Awareness Month and on the psychology of your 20s, we are taking a vulnerable look at why mental health is so hard to talk about. Prepare for our conversations to go deep. I spent the majority of my teenage years and my 20s just feeling absolutely terrified. So this Mental Health Awareness Month, open the free iHeart Radio app, search the psychology of your 20s and listen now. You're listening to an iHeart Podcast.